Something or someone will always have your first-place thoughts. The enemy's greatest delight is to steal the worship reserved for God and turn it toward something else. Psalm 51:15-17.
When we are faced with an altercation, the natural response is to gather a show of force. Bring what you can to try to win the battle. No one goes into battle planning to make it a fair fight. They should bring an overwhelming force. Do we realize we have an overwhelming force?
When enemies came to wage war against Jehoshaphat and his people. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord. 2 Chronicles 20:1-5.
The Spirit of the Lord told the King and people: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15.
“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem.” 2 Chronicles 20:17.
God didn’t say to not do anything. He told them take up your positions and stand, then watch the Lord's victory. The people gave a loud shout of praise. “…Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him… as they went out at the ahead of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 20:21.
The enemy armies battled against each other, and the Lord had the victory.
The Point: Worship is a battle cry and a powerful weapon against the enemy that cannot be defeated.
Our enemy will do anything possible to make the lopsided battle more even, by taking the power of worship. The enemy battles hard against worship. He seeks to create the confusion within the church. He uses his favorite tool: deception.
Don't let the enemy steal your worship from God.
Sing Psalms and hymns to praise God. Ephesians 5:15-20. The ministry of song is a weapon.
Paul and Silas were thrown into dungeon but ended up praying and singing. Why would they sing? Worship was their battle cry. Acts 16:16-31. The jailer and his whole family were saved!
When we lift up our voices in praise, what battles are won? Things begin to happen! Let the Church worship His name.
This song came to mind for this msessage: Surrounded (Fight My Battles)
Verses for Today:
2 Chronicles 20:14-21 NIV
14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.
15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”
18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
“Give thanks to the Lord,
for his love endures forever.”
Lord, help remind me everyday that any battles I face, You can handle.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your comments are always appreciated!